Sail the Swahili Coast where spice, culture, and coral merge into Africa’s most evocative seascape.
Sailing the Swahili Coast from Pemba to Mafia Island
Along the fabled Swahili Coast, the air carries the scent of cloves, salt, and coral lime — traces of centuries-old trade routes between Arabia, India, and Africa. Zanzibar & The Spice Archipelago retraces this storied maritime corridor, sailing from the coral gardens of Pemba to the marine sanctuaries of Mafia Island, through lagoons once crossed by dhows under lateen sail. This voyage combines rich coastal culture with natural beauty: island markets, spice plantations, mangrove creeks, and turtle nesting beaches. Each anchorage reveals another facet of East Africa — vivid, aromatic, and steeped in history. Days invite discovery and play; evenings slow to a rhythm of lantern light and gentle surf along the hull.
Day 1 – Stone Town Embarkation (Zanzibar)
Arrive in Zanzibar and board your yacht at the Stone Town anchorage. After introductions and refreshments, enjoy a short sunset sail along the city’s Arab trading façades. Dinner on deck as the muezzin’s call mingles with the sound of waves.
Day 2 – The Spice Gardens of Kizimbani
Go ashore for a morning guided tour of Zanzibar’s spice plantations. Learn the origins of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, followed by a private Swahili cooking lesson. Return to the yacht for an afternoon swim off Mnemba Atoll.
Day 3 – Mnemba Marine Reserve
Dive or snorkel in Mnemba’s protected reef system — a kaleidoscope of reef fish and turtles. Relax on the foredeck during a gentle sail northward toward Pemba. Sunset drinks and a seafood grill beneath a glowing horizon.
Day 4 – Pemba Island Arrival
Anchor in Misali Channel (≈45 nm). Visit Misali Island Marine Park, a paradise of soft corals and nesting turtles. Picnic ashore and learn about the island’s conservation projects from local rangers. Overnight in a calm lagoon under a canopy of stars.
Day 5 – Ngezi Forest & Local Culture
Tender ashore to explore Pemba’s Ngezi Forest Reserve with your naturalist guide — colobus monkeys, fruit bats, and giant trees draped in vines. Visit a small village for afternoon tea and traditional taarab music. Dinner back aboard the yacht.
Day 6 – Pemba Channel Crossing
Sail westward through the Pemba Channel (≈40 nm), where dolphins and tuna often accompany the yacht. Guests can fish under the crew’s supervision or simply watch the coastline recede. Overnight near the mainland coast at Pangani Creek.
Day 7 – Pangani & Historical Coastline
Go ashore to explore Pangani’s colonial architecture and coral-stone houses. Learn of its role in the spice and ivory trade before visiting a small dhow workshop. Return to the yacht for a sunset sail southward toward Saadani.
Day 8 – Saadani National Park
Anchor off Saadani, where elephants and giraffes graze near the shoreline — the only place in East Africa where wildlife meets the sea. Join a ranger-led boat safari along the Wami River. Return for dinner at anchor, surrounded by the sounds of both forest and ocean.
Day 9 – Kilwa Kisiwani
Continue south (≈50 nm) to Kilwa, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk among the ruins of ancient mosques and palaces that once ruled Indian Ocean trade. Your historian host brings the medieval Swahili city to life through its coral-stone remains.
Day 10 – Mafia Island & Chole Bay
Enter Mafia Island’s sheltered lagoon. Snorkel among colourful coral heads at Chole Bay, then visit Chole Village to meet local boatbuilders crafting dhows by hand. Evening yoga session on deck followed by a beach dinner arranged by the crew.
Day 11 – Mafia Marine Park
Dive or snorkel in the park’s crystalline waters, encountering rays, turtles, and reef sharks. Non-divers can kayak through mangrove channels. Farewell dinner on deck, featuring coconut crab, spiced rice, and fresh tropical fruit.
Day 12 – Disembarkation at Kilindoni (Mafia Island)
After breakfast, tender ashore for transfer to Mafia Island Airport or onward flight to Dar es Salaam.
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